Ranking augmented reality content based on messaging contacts

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure involve ranking augmented reality content. The program and method provide for receiving, by a messaging application, a request from a first user to compose a message for sending to a preselected second user, the message being configured to include an image captured by a device camera, the first user and the second user corresponding to contacts in the messaging application; determining, in response to receiving the request, a ranking for a plurality of augmented reality content items configured to be displayed with the image, the ranking being based on at least one signal that relates the first user to the second user; and displaying, based on the ranking, the image with a user interface comprising multiple icons, each icon being user-selectable to display a respective one of the plurality of augmented reality content items with the image.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 63/000,065, filed Mar. 26, 2020, entitled “RANKINGAUGMENTED REALITY CONTENT BASED ON MESSAGING CONTACTS”, which isincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to messaging applications,including providing display of augmented reality content within amessaging application.

BACKGROUND

Messaging systems provide for the exchange of message content betweenusers. For example, a messaging system allows a user to exchange messagecontent (e.g., text, images) with one or more other users.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

To easily identify the discussion of any particular element or act, themost significant digit or digits in a reference number refer to thefigure number in which that element is first introduced.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a networked environment inwhich the present disclosure may be deployed, in accordance with someexample embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a messaging clientapplication, in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a data structure asmaintained in a database, in accordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic representation of a message, in accordance withsome example embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for an access-limiting process, in accordance withsome example embodiments.

FIG. 6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process for rankingaugmented reality content based on messaging contacts, in accordancewith some example embodiments.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface in which icons representingaugmented reality content items are displayed in a ranked order, inaccordance with some example embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process for ranking augmentedreality content based on messaging contacts, in accordance with someexample embodiments.

FIG. 9 is block diagram showing a software architecture within which thepresent disclosure may be implemented, in accordance with some exampleembodiments.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine, in the form of acomputer system within which a set of instructions may be executed forcausing the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologiesdiscussed, in accordance with some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A messaging system typically allow users to exchange content items(e.g., messages, images and/or video) with one another in a messagethread. A messaging system may implement or otherwise work inconjunction with an augmented reality system to display augmentedreality content with respect to messaging. For example, the augmentedreality content is combined with image data captured by a device camerain creating message content. However, a user may wish for facilitatingselection of augmented reality content with respect to messaging.

The disclosed embodiments provide for a messaging application to rankaugmented reality content items (e.g., corresponding to applying Lensesor augmented reality experiences) for displaying augmented realitycontent with an image captured by a device camera. For example, theaugmented reality content items are ranked based on one or more signalsthat relate a first user to a preselected second user. The messagingapplication selects a default augmented reality content item (e.g., ahighest-ranked augmented reality content item) that is automaticallydisplayed with the captured image. In addition, the messagingapplication displays a carousel interface with icons, each for selectinga respective augmented reality content item, in ranked order.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example messaging system 100 forexchanging data (e.g., messages and associated content) over a network106. The messaging system 100 includes instances of a client device 102,each of which hosts a number of applications, including a messagingclient application 104. Each messaging client application 104 iscommunicatively coupled to other instances of the messaging clientapplication 104 and a messaging server system 110 via a network 106(e.g., the Internet).

A messaging client application 104 is able to communicate and exchangedata with another messaging client application 104 and with themessaging server system 110 via the network 106. The data exchangedbetween the messaging client application 104, and between the othermessaging client application 104 and the messaging server system 110,includes functions (e.g., commands to invoke functions) as well aspayload data (e.g., text, audio, video or other multimedia data).

In some embodiments, the messaging client application 104 activates acamera of the client device 102 (e.g., upon startup of the messagingclient application 104). The messaging client application 104 allows auser to request to scan one or more items in a camera feed captured bythe camera. For example, the messaging client application 104 mayreceive a user selection of a dedicated scan option (e.g., a button)presented together with the camera feed. In an alternative embodiment,the messaging client application 104 may detect physical contact betweena finger of the user's hand and a region of the touch screen for athreshold period of time. For example, the messaging client application104 determines that the user touched and held their finger on the screenfor more than three seconds. In response, the messaging clientapplication 104 captures an image being displayed on the screen andprocesses the image to identify one or more objects in the image. Insome embodiments, the messaging client application 104 uses one or moretrained classifiers and/or environmental factors to identify the objectsin the image.

The messaging server system 110 provides server-side functionality viathe network 106 to a particular messaging client application 104. Whilecertain functions of the messaging system 100 are described herein asbeing performed by either the messaging client application 104 or by themessaging server system 110, it will be appreciated that the location ofcertain functionality either within the messaging client application 104or the messaging server system 110 is a design choice. For example, itmay be technically preferable to initially deploy certain technology andfunctionality within the messaging server system 110, but to latermigrate this technology and functionality to the messaging clientapplication 104 where a client device 102 has a sufficient processingcapacity.

The messaging server system 110 supports various services and operationsthat are provided to the messaging client application 104. Suchoperations include transmitting data to, receiving data from, andprocessing data generated by the messaging client application 104. Thisdata may include message content, client device information, graphicalelements, geolocation information, media annotation and overlays,virtual objects, message content persistence conditions, social networkinformation, and live event information, as examples. Data exchangeswithin the messaging system 100 are invoked and controlled throughfunctions available via user interfaces (UIs) (e.g., graphical userinterfaces) of the messaging client application 104.

Turning now specifically to the messaging server system 110, an APIserver 108 (application programming interface server) is coupled to, andprovides a programmatic interface to, an application server 112. Theapplication server 112 is communicatively coupled to a database server116, which facilitates access to a database 122 in which is stored dataassociated with messages processed by the application server 112.

Dealing specifically with the API server 108, this server receives andtransmits message data (e.g., commands and message payloads) between theclient device 102 and the application server 112. Specifically, the APIserver 108 provides a set of interfaces (e.g., routines and protocols)that can be called or queried by the messaging client application 104 inorder to invoke functionality of the application server 112. The APIserver 108 exposes various functions supported by the application server112, including account registration; login functionality; the sending ofmessages, via the application server 112, from a particular messagingclient application 104 to another messaging client application 104; thesending of media files (e.g., graphical elements, images or video) fromthe messaging client application 104 to the messaging server application114, and for possible access by another messaging client application104; a graphical element list; the setting of a collection of media data(e.g., a Story); the retrieval of such collections; the retrieval of alist of friends of a user of a client device 102; maintaining augmentedreality content items; the retrieval of messages and content; the addingand deleting of friends to a social graph; the location of friendswithin a social graph; access to user conversation data; access toavatar information stored on messaging server system 110; and opening anapplication event (e.g., relating to the messaging client application104).

The application server 112 hosts a number of applications andsubsystems, including a messaging server application 114, an imageprocessing system 118, a social network system 120, and an augmentedreality system 124. The messaging server application 114 implements anumber of message processing technologies and functions, particularlyrelated to the aggregation and other processing of content (e.g.,textual and multimedia content) included in messages received frommultiple instances of the messaging client application 104. As will bedescribed in further detail, the text and media content from multiplesources may be aggregated into collections of content (e.g., calledStories or galleries). These collections are then made available, by themessaging server application 114, to the messaging client application104. Other processor- and memory-intensive processing of data may alsobe performed server-side by the messaging server application 114, inview of the hardware requirements for such processing.

The application server 112 also includes an image processing system 118that is dedicated to performing various image processing operations,typically with respect to images or video received within the payload ofa message at the messaging server application 114. In one or moreembodiments, a portion of the image processing system 118 may also beimplemented by the augmented reality system 124.

The social network system 120 supports various social networkingfunctions and services and makes these functions and services availableto the messaging server application 114. To this end, the social networksystem 120 maintains and accesses an entity graph within the database122. Examples of functions and services supported by the social networksystem 120 include the identification of other users of the messagingsystem 100 with which a particular user has relationships or is“following” and also the identification of other entities and interestsof a particular user. Such other users may be referred to as the user'sfriends. The social network system 120 may access location informationassociated with each of the user's friends to determine where they liveor are currently located geographically. The social network system 120may maintain a location profile for each of the user's friendsindicating the geographical location where the user's friends live.

The messaging client application 104 includes a set of functions thatallows the client device 102 to access the augmented reality system 124.The augmented reality system 124 generates and maintains a list ofaugmented reality content items. The augmented reality content items maycorrespond to augmented reality experiences for supplementing capturedimage data with augmented reality content.

In one or more embodiments, the augmented reality system 124 providesfor determining (e.g., receives) one or more attributes (e.g., a name)of an object. The augmented reality system 124 provides for searchingfor one or more augmented reality content items (e.g., virtual objects)that are associated with the one or more attributes of the object, andfor ranking the virtual objects (e.g., based on the associations andweights assigned to each of the attributes and/or based on relationshipsbetween contacts friends as described herein). The augmented realitysystem 124 causes one or more virtual objects or graphical elements ofthe highest ranked augmented reality content item to be presented on topof the captured image.

The application server 112 is communicatively coupled to a databaseserver 116, which facilitates access to a database 122, in which isstored data associated with messages processed by the messaging serverapplication 114. The database 122 may be a third-party database. Forexample, the application server 112 may be associated with a firstentity, and the database 122 or a portion of the database 122 may beassociated and hosted by a second different entity. In some embodiments,the database 122 stores user data that the first entity collects aboutvarious each of the users of a service provided by the first entity. Forexample, the user data includes user names, phone numbers, passwords,addresses, friends, activity information, preferences, videos or contentconsumed by the user, and so forth.

FIG. 2 is block diagram illustrating further details regarding themessaging system 100, according to example embodiments. Specifically,the messaging system 100 is shown to comprise the messaging clientapplication 104 and the application server 112, which in turn embody anumber of some subsystems, namely an ephemeral timer system 202, acollection management system 204 and an annotation system 206.

The ephemeral timer system 202 is responsible for enforcing thetemporary access to content permitted by the messaging clientapplication 104 and the messaging server application 114. To this end,the ephemeral timer system 202 incorporates a number of timers that,based on duration and display parameters associated with a message, orcollection of messages (e.g., a Story), selectively display and enableaccess to messages and associated content via the messaging clientapplication 104. Further details regarding the operation of theephemeral timer system 202 are provided below.

The collection management system 204 is responsible for managingcollections of media (e.g., collections of text, image video and audiodata). In some examples, a collection of content (e.g., messages,including images, video, text and audio) may be organized into an “eventgallery” or an “event Story.” Such a collection may be made availablefor a specified time period, such as the duration of an event to whichthe content relates. For example, content relating to a music concertmay be made available as a “Story” for the duration of that musicconcert. The collection management system 204 may also be responsiblefor publishing an icon that provides notification of the existence of aparticular collection to the user interface of the messaging clientapplication 104.

The collection management system 204 furthermore includes a curationinterface 208 that allows a collection manager to manage and curate aparticular collection of content. For example, the curation interface208 enables an event organizer to curate a collection of contentrelating to a specific event (e.g., delete inappropriate content orredundant messages) Additionally, the collection management system 204employs machine vision (or image recognition technology) and contentrules to automatically curate a content collection. In certainembodiments, compensation may be paid to a user for inclusion ofuser-generated content into a collection. In such cases, the curationinterface 208 operates to automatically make payments to such users forthe use of their content.

The annotation system 206 provides various functions that enable a userto annotate or otherwise modify or edit media content associated with amessage. For example, the annotation system 206 provides functionsrelated to the generation and publishing of media overlays for messagesprocessed by the messaging system 100. The annotation system 206operatively supplies a media overlay or supplementation (e.g., an imagefilter) to the messaging client application 104 based on a geolocationof the client device 102. In another example, the annotation system 206operatively supplies a media overlay to the messaging client application104 based on other information, such as social network information ofthe user of the client device 102. A media overlay may include audio andvisual content and visual effects. Examples of audio and visual contentinclude pictures, texts, logos, animations, and sound effects. Anexample of a visual effect includes color overlaying. The audio andvisual content or the visual effects can be applied to a content item(e.g., a photo) at the client device 102. For example, the media overlaymay include text that can be overlaid on top of a photograph taken bythe client device 102. In another example, the media overlay includes anidentification of a location overlay (e.g., Venice beach), a name of alive event, or a name of a merchant overlay (e.g., Beach Coffee House).In another example, the annotation system 206 uses the geolocation ofthe client device 102 to identify a media overlay that includes the nameof a merchant at the geolocation of the client device 102. The mediaoverlay may include other indicia associated with the merchant. Themedia overlays may be stored in the database 122 and accessed throughthe database server 116.

In one example embodiment, the annotation system 206 provides auser-based publication platform that enables users to select ageolocation on a map, and upload content associated with the selectedgeolocation. The user may also specify circumstances under which aparticular media overlay should be offered to other users. Theannotation system 206 generates a media overlay that includes theuploaded content and associates the uploaded content with the selectedgeolocation.

In another example embodiment, the annotation system 206 provides amerchant-based publication platform that enables merchants to select aparticular media overlay associated with a geolocation via a biddingprocess. For example, the annotation system 206 associates the mediaoverlay of a highest bidding merchant with a corresponding geolocationfor a predefined amount of time.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating data structures 300 which maybe stored in the database 122 of the messaging server system 110,according to certain example embodiments. While the content of thedatabase 122 is shown to comprise a number of tables, it will beappreciated that the data could be stored in other types of datastructures (e.g., as an object-oriented database).

The database 122 includes message data stored within a message table314. An entity table 302 stores entity data, including an entity graph304. Entities for which records are maintained within the entity table302 may include individuals, corporate entities, organizations, objects,places, events, and so forth. Regardless of type, any entity regardingwhich the messaging server system 110 stores data may be a recognizedentity. Each entity is provided with a unique identifier, as well as anentity type identifier (not shown).

The entity graph 304 stores information regarding relationships andassociations between entities. Such relationships may be social,professional (e.g., work at a common corporation or organization),interest-based, or activity-based, merely for example.

The message table 314 may store a collection of conversations between auser and one or more friends or entities. The message table 314 mayinclude various attributes of each conversation, such as the list ofparticipants, the size of the conversation (e.g., number of users and/ornumber of messages), the chat color of the conversation, a uniqueidentifier for the conversation, and any other conversation relatedfeature(s).

The database 122 also stores annotation data, in the example form offilters, in an annotation table 312. The database 122 also storesannotated content received in the annotation table 312. Filters forwhich data is stored within the annotation table 312 are associated withand applied to videos (for which data is stored in a video table 310)and/or images (for which data is stored in an image table 308). Filters,in one example, are overlays that are displayed as overlaid on an imageor video during presentation to a recipient user. Filters may be ofvarious types, including user-selected filters from a gallery of filterspresented to a sending user by the messaging client application 104 whenthe sending user is composing a message. Other types of filters includegeolocation filters (also known as geo-filters), which may be presentedto a sending user based on geographic location. For example, geolocationfilters specific to a neighborhood or special location may be presentedwithin a UI by the messaging client application 104, based ongeolocation information determined by a Global Positioning System (GPS)unit of the client device 102. Another type of filter is a data filter,which may be selectively presented to a sending user by the messagingclient application 104, based on other inputs or information gathered bythe client device 102 during the message creation process. Examples ofdata filters include current temperature at a specific location, acurrent speed at which a sending user is traveling, battery life for aclient device 102, or the current time.

Other annotation data that may be stored within the image table 308 areaugmented reality content items (e.g., corresponding to Lenses oraugmented reality experiences). An augmented reality content item may bea real-time special effect and sound that may be added to an image or avideo.

As described above, augmented reality content items, overlays, imagetransformations, AR images and similar terms refer to modifications thatmay be made to videos or images. This includes real-time modificationwhich modifies an image as it is captured using a device sensor and thendisplayed on a screen of the device with the modifications. This alsoincludes modifications to stored content, such as video clips in agallery that may be modified. For example, in a device with access tomultiple augmented reality content items, a user can use a single videoclip with multiple augmented reality content items to see how thedifferent augmented reality content items will modify the stored clip.For example, multiple augmented reality content items that applydifferent pseudorandom movement models can be applied to the samecontent by selecting different augmented reality content items for thecontent. Similarly, real-time video capture may be used with anillustrated modification to show how video images currently beingcaptured by sensors of a device would modify the captured data. Suchdata may simply be displayed on the screen and not stored in memory, orthe content captured by the device sensors may be recorded and stored inmemory with or without the modifications (or both). In some systems, apreview feature can show how different augmented reality content itemswill look within different windows in a display at the same time. Thiscan, for example, enable multiple windows with different pseudorandomanimations to be viewed on a display at the same time.

Data and various systems using augmented reality content items or othersuch transform systems to modify content using this data can thusinvolve detection of objects (e.g., faces, hands, bodies, cats, dogs,surfaces, objects, etc.), tracking of such objects as they leave, enter,and move around the field of view in video frames, and the modificationor transformation of such objects as they are tracked. In variousembodiments, different methods for achieving such transformations may beused. For example, some embodiments may involve generating athree-dimensional mesh model of the object or objects, and usingtransformations and animated textures of the model within the video toachieve the transformation. In other embodiments, tracking of points onan object may be used to place an image or texture (which may be twodimensional or three dimensional) at the tracked position. In stillfurther embodiments, neural network analysis of video frames may be usedto place images, models, or textures in content (e.g., images or framesof video). Augmented reality content items thus refer both to theimages, models, and textures used to create transformations in content,as well as to additional modeling and analysis information needed toachieve such transformations with object detection, tracking, andplacement.

Real-time video processing can be performed with any kind of video data(e.g., video streams, video files, etc.) saved in a memory of acomputerized system of any kind. For example, a user can load videofiles and save them in a memory of a device, or can generate a videostream using sensors of the device. Additionally, any objects can beprocessed using a computer animation model, such as a human's face andparts of a human body, animals, or non-living things such as chairs,cars, or other objects.

In some embodiments, when a particular modification is selected alongwith content to be transformed, elements to be transformed areidentified by the computing device, and then detected and tracked ifthey are present in the frames of the video. The elements of the objectare modified according to the request for modification, thustransforming the frames of the video stream. Transformation of frames ofa video stream can be performed by different methods for different kindsof transformation. For example, for transformations of frames mostlyreferring to changing forms of object's elements characteristic pointsfor each of element of an object are calculated (e.g., using an ActiveShape Model (ASM) or other known methods). Then, a mesh based on thecharacteristic points is generated for each of the at least one elementof the object. This mesh used in the following stage of tracking theelements of the object in the video stream. In the process of tracking,the mentioned mesh for each element is aligned with a position of eachelement. Then, additional points are generated on the mesh. A first setof first points is generated for each element based on a request formodification, and a set of second points is generated for each elementbased on the set of first points and the request for modification. Then,the frames of the video stream can be transformed by modifying theelements of the object on the basis of the sets of first and secondpoints and the mesh. In such method, a background of the modified objectcan be changed or distorted as well by tracking and modifying thebackground.

In one or more embodiments, transformations changing some areas of anobject using its elements can be performed by calculating ofcharacteristic points for each element of an object and generating amesh based on the calculated characteristic points. Points are generatedon the mesh, and then various areas based on the points are generated.The elements of the object are then tracked by aligning the area foreach element with a position for each of the at least one element, andproperties of the areas can be modified based on the request formodification, thus transforming the frames of the video stream.Depending on the specific request for modification properties of thementioned areas can be transformed in different ways. Such modificationsmay involve: changing color of areas; removing at least some part ofareas from the frames of the video stream; including one or more newobjects into areas which are based on a request for modification; andmodifying or distorting the elements of an area or object. In variousembodiments, any combination of such modifications or other similarmodifications may be used. For certain models to be animated, somecharacteristic points can be selected as control points to be used indetermining the entire state-space of options for the model animation.

In some embodiments of a computer animation model to transform imagedata using face detection, the face is detected on an image with use ofa specific face detection (e.g., Viola-Jones). Then, an Active ShapeModel (ASM) algorithm is applied to the face region of an image todetect facial feature reference points.

In other embodiments, other methods and algorithms suitable for faceand/or object detection can be used. For example, in some embodiments,features are located using a landmark which represents a distinguishablepoint present in most of the images under consideration. For faciallandmarks, for example, the location of the left eye pupil may be used.In an initial landmark is not identifiable (e.g., if a person has aneyepatch), secondary landmarks may be used. Such landmark identificationprocedures may be used for any such objects. In some embodiments, a setof landmarks forms a shape. Shapes can be represented as vectors usingthe coordinates of the points in the shape. One shape is aligned toanother with a similarity transform (allowing translation, scaling, androtation) that minimizes the average Euclidean distance between shapepoints. The mean shape is the mean of the aligned training shapes.

In some embodiments, a search for landmarks from the mean shape alignedto the position and size of the face determined by a global facedetector is started. Such a search then repeats the steps of suggestinga tentative shape by adjusting the locations of shape points by templatematching of the image texture around each point and then conforming thetentative shape to a global shape model until convergence occurs. Insome systems, individual template matches are unreliable and the shapemodel pools the results of the weak template matchers to form a strongeroverall classifier. The entire search is repeated at each level in animage pyramid, from coarse to fine resolution.

Embodiments of a transformation system can capture an image or videostream on a client device (e.g., the client device 102) and performcomplex image manipulations locally on the client device 102 whilemaintaining a suitable user experience, computation time, and powerconsumption. The complex image manipulations may include size and shapechanges, emotion transfers (e.g., changing a face from a frown to asmile), state transfers (e.g., aging a subject, reducing apparent age,changing gender), style transfers, graphical element application, andany other suitable image or video manipulation implemented by aconvolutional neural network that has been configured to executeefficiently on the client device 102.

In some example embodiments, a computer animation model to transformimage data can be used by a system where a user may capture an image orvideo stream of the user (e.g., a selfie) using a client device 102having a neural network operating as part of a messaging clientapplication 104 operating on the client device 102. The transform systemoperating within the messaging client application 104 determines thepresence of an object (e.g., a face) within the image or video streamand provides modification icons associated with a computer animationmodel to transform image data, or the computer animation model can bepresent as associated with an interface described herein. Themodification icons include changes which may be the basis for modifyingthe user's face within the image or video stream as part of themodification operation. Once a modification icon is selected, thetransform system initiates a process to convert the image of the user toreflect the selected modification icon (e.g., generate a smiling face onthe user). In some embodiments, a modified image or video stream may bepresented in a graphical user interface displayed on the mobile clientdevice as soon as the image or video stream is captured and a specifiedmodification is selected. The transform system may implement a complexconvolutional neural network on a portion of the image or video streamto generate and apply the selected modification. That is, the user maycapture the image or video stream and be presented with a modifiedresult in real time or near real time once a modification icon has beenselected. Further, the modification may be persistent while the videostream is being captured and the selected modification icon remainstoggled. Machine taught neural networks may be used to enable suchmodifications.

In some embodiments, the graphical user interface, presenting themodification performed by the transform system, may supply the user withadditional interaction options. Such options may be based on theinterface used to initiate the content capture and selection of aparticular computer animation model (e.g., initiation from a contentcreator user interface). In various embodiments, a modification may bepersistent after an initial selection of a modification icon. The usermay toggle the modification on or off by tapping or otherwise selectingthe face being modified by the transformation system and store it forlater viewing or browse to other areas of the imaging application. Wheremultiple faces are modified by the transformation system, the user maytoggle the modification on or off globally by tapping or selecting asingle face modified and displayed within a graphical user interface. Insome embodiments, individual faces, among a group of multiple faces, maybe individually modified or such modifications may be individuallytoggled by tapping or selecting the individual face or a series ofindividual faces displayed within the graphical user interface.

As mentioned above, the video table 310 stores video data which, in oneembodiment, is associated with messages for which records are maintainedwithin the message table 314. Similarly, the image table 308 storesimage data associated with messages for which message data is stored inthe entity table 302. The entity table 302 may associate variousannotations from the annotation table 312 with various images and videosstored in the image table 308 and the video table 310.

The augmented reality content items table 316 stores an indication(e.g., a list) of augmented reality content items (e.g., augmentedreality content items) available for selection and activation by themessaging client application 104. It is noted that the image data forthe augmented reality content items (including graphical elements(s),virtual object(s) which may or may not be animated) may be stored in theimage table 308 as discussed above, where the augmented reality contentitems table 316 includes references/pointers to the stored image data.Each augmented reality content item also includes instructions (e.g.,stored in the in the image table 308 and/or the augmented realitycontent items table 316) on where to position the graphical elements orvirtual objects relative to other objects depicted in the capturedimage.

In one or more embodiments, each augmented reality content item in theaugmented reality content items table 316 is associated with one or moreobject attributes. Each augmented reality content item in the augmentedreality content items table 316 may also be associated with one or morepredefined words (e.g., using metadata labels, designations, and thelike). In one or more embodiments, the messaging client application 104searches the object attributes and/or predefined words stored in theaugmented reality content items table 316 to identify one or moreaugmented reality content items associated with a scanned object or anobject identified in a captured image. Thus, the augmented realitycontent items table 316 provides and/or facilitates in ranking augmentedreality content items. As described herein, ranking may alternatively oradditionally be ranked based on relationship data betweencontacts/friends.

A story table 306 stores data regarding collections of messages andassociated image, video, or audio data, which are compiled into acollection (e.g., a Story or a gallery). The creation of a particularcollection may be initiated by a particular user (e.g., each user forwhich a record is maintained in the entity table 302). A user may createa “personal Story” in the form of a collection of content that has beencreated and sent/broadcast by that user. To this end, the UI of themessaging client application 104 may include an icon that isuser-selectable to enable a sending user to add specific content to hisor her personal Story.

A collection may also constitute a “live Story,” which is a collectionof content from multiple users that is created manually, automatically,or using a combination of manual and automatic techniques. For example,a “live Story” may constitute a curated stream of user-submitted contentfrom various locations and events. Users whose client devices havelocation services enabled and are at a common location event at aparticular time may, for example, be presented with an option, via a UIof the messaging client application 104, to contribute content to aparticular live Story. The live Story may be identified to the user bythe messaging client application 104 based on his or her location. Theend result is a “live Story” told from a community perspective.

A further type of content collection is known as a “location Story,”which enables a user whose client device 102 is located within aspecific geographic location (e.g., on a college or university campus)to contribute to a particular collection. In some embodiments, acontribution to a location Story may require a second degree ofauthentication to verify that the end user belongs to a specificorganization or other entity (e.g., is a student on the universitycampus).

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating a structure of a message 400,according to some embodiments, generated by a messaging clientapplication 104 for communication to a further messaging clientapplication 104 or the messaging server application 114. The content ofa particular message 400 is used to populate the message table 314stored within the database 122, accessible by the messaging serverapplication 114. Similarly, the content of a message 400 is stored inmemory as “in-transit” or “in-flight” data of the client device 102 orthe application server 112. The message 400 is shown to include thefollowing components:

-   -   A message identifier 402: a unique identifier that identifies        the message 400.    -   A message text payload 404: text, to be generated by a user via        a user interface of the client device 102 and that is included        in the message 400.    -   A message image payload 406: image data, captured by a camera        component of a client device 102 or retrieved from a memory        component of a client device 102, and that is included in the        message 400.    -   A message video payload 408: video data, captured by a camera        component or retrieved from a memory component of the client        device 102 and that is included in the message 400.    -   A message audio payload 410: audio data, captured by a        microphone or retrieved from a memory component of the client        device 102, and that is included in the message 400.    -   Message annotations 412: annotation data (e.g., filters,        stickers or other enhancements) that represents annotations to        be applied to message image payload 406, message video payload        408, or message audio payload 410 of the message 400.    -   A message duration parameter 414: parameter value indicating, in        seconds, the amount of time for which content of the message        (e.g., the message image payload 406, message video payload 408,        message audio payload 410) is to be presented or made accessible        to a user via the messaging client application 104.    -   A message geolocation parameter 416: geolocation data (e.g.,        latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates) associated with the        content payload of the message. Multiple message geolocation        parameter 416 values may be included in the payload, each of        these parameter values being associated with respect to content        items included in the content (e.g., a specific image within the        message image payload 406, or a specific video in the message        video payload 408).    -   A message story identifier 418: identifier values identifying        one or more content collections (e.g., “Stories”) with which a        particular content item in the message image payload 406 of the        message 400 is associated. For example, multiple images within        the message image payload 406 may each be associated with        multiple content collections using identifier values.    -   A message tag 420: each message 400 may be tagged with multiple        tags, each of which is indicative of the subject matter of        content included in the message payload. For example, where a        particular image included in the message image payload 406        depicts an animal (e.g., a lion), a tag value may be included        within the message tag 420 that is indicative of the relevant        animal. Tag values may be generated manually, based on user        input, or may be automatically generated using, for example,        image recognition.    -   A message sender identifier 422: an identifier (e.g., a        messaging system identifier, email address, or device        identifier) indicative of a user of the client device 102 on        which the message 400 was generated and from which the message        400 was sent.    -   A message receiver identifier 424: an identifier (e.g., a        messaging system identifier, email address, or device        identifier) indicative of a user of the client device 102 to        which the message 400 is addressed.

The contents (e.g., values) of the various components of message 400 maybe pointers to locations in tables within which content data values arestored. For example, an image value in the message image payload 406 maybe a pointer to (or address of) a location within an image table 308.Similarly, values within the message video payload 408 may point to datastored within a video table 310, values stored within the messageannotations 412 may point to data stored in an annotation table 312,values stored within the message story identifier 418 may point to datastored in a story table 306, and values stored within the message senderidentifier 422 and the message receiver identifier 424 may point to userrecords stored within an entity table 302.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating an access-limiting process500, in terms of which access to content (e.g., an ephemeral message502, and associated multimedia payload of data) or a content collection(e.g., an ephemeral message group 504) may be time-limited (e.g., madeephemeral).

An ephemeral message 502 is shown to be associated with a messageduration parameter 506, the value of which determines an amount of timethat the ephemeral message 502 will be displayed to a receiving user ofthe ephemeral message 502 by the messaging client application 104. Inone embodiment, an ephemeral message 502 is viewable by a receiving userfor up to a maximum of 10 seconds, depending on the amount of time thatthe sending user specifies using the message duration parameter 506.

The message duration parameter 506 and the message receiver identifier424 are shown to be inputs to a message timer 512, which is responsiblefor determining the amount of time that the ephemeral message 502 isshown to a particular receiving user identified by the message receiveridentifier 424. In particular, the ephemeral message 502 will only beshown to the relevant receiving user for a time period determined by thevalue of the message duration parameter 506. The message timer 512 isshown to provide output to a more generalized ephemeral timer system202, which is responsible for the overall timing of display of content(e.g., an ephemeral message 502) to a receiving user.

The ephemeral message 502 is shown in FIG. 5 to be included within anephemeral message group 504 (e.g., a collection of messages in apersonal Story, or an event Story). The ephemeral message group 504 hasan associated group duration parameter 508, a value of which determinesa time-duration for which the ephemeral message group 504 is presentedand accessible to users of the messaging system 100. The group durationparameter 508, for example, may be the duration of a music concert,where the ephemeral message group 504 is a collection of contentpertaining to that concert. Alternatively, a user either the owning useror a curator user) may specify the value for the group durationparameter 508 when performing the setup and creation of the ephemeralmessage group 504.

Additionally, each ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral messagegroup 504 has an associated group participation parameter 510, a valueof which determines the duration of time for which the ephemeral message502 will be accessible within the context of the ephemeral message group504. Accordingly, a particular ephemeral message group 504 may “expire”and become inaccessible within the context of the ephemeral messagegroup 504, prior to the ephemeral message group 504 itself expiring interms of the group duration parameter 508. The group duration parameter508, group participation parameter 510, and message receiver identifier424 each provide input to a group timer 514 which operationallydetermines, firstly, whether a particular ephemeral message 502 of theephemeral message group 504 will be displayed to a particular receivinguser and, if so, for how long. Note that the ephemeral message group 504is also aware of the identity of the particular receiving user as aresult of the message receiver identifier 424.

Accordingly, the group timer 514 operationally controls the overalllifespan of an associated ephemeral message group 504, as well as anindividual ephemeral message 502 included in the ephemeral message group504. In one embodiment, each and every ephemeral message 502 within theephemeral message group 504 remains viewable and accessible for atime-period specified by the group duration parameter 508. In a furtherembodiment, a certain ephemeral message 502 may expire, within thecontext of ephemeral message group 504, based on a group participationparameter 510. Note that a message duration parameter 506 may stilldetermine the duration of time for which a particular ephemeral message502 is displayed to a receiving user, even within the context of theephemeral message group 504. Accordingly, the message duration parameter506 determines the duration of time that a particular ephemeral message502 is displayed to a receiving user, regardless of whether thereceiving user is viewing that ephemeral message 502 inside or outsidethe context of an ephemeral message group 504.

The ephemeral timer system 202 may furthermore operationally remove aparticular ephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504based on a determination that it has exceeded an associated groupparticipation parameter 510. For example, when a sending user hasestablished a group participation parameter 510 of 24 hours fromposting, the ephemeral tinier system 202 will remove the relevantephemeral message 502 from the ephemeral message group 504 after thespecified 24 hours. The ephemeral timer system 202 also operates toremove an ephemeral message group 504 either when the groupparticipation parameter 510 for each and every ephemeral message 502within the ephemeral message group 504 has expired, or when theephemeral message group 504 itself has expired in terms of the groupduration parameter 508.

In certain use cases, a creator of a particular ephemeral message group504 may specify an indefinite group duration parameter 508. In thiscase, the expiration of the group participation parameter 510 for thelast remaining ephemeral message 502 within the ephemeral message group504 will determine when the ephemeral message group 504 itself expires.In this case, a new ephemeral message 502, added to the ephemeralmessage group 504, with a new group participation parameter 510,effectively extends the life of an ephemeral message group 504 to equalthe value of the group participation parameter 510.

Responsive to the ephemeral timer system 202 determining that anephemeral message group 504 has expired (e.g., is no longer accessible),the ephemeral timer system 202 communicates with the messaging system100 (and, for example, specifically the messaging client application104) to cause an indicium (e.g., an icon) associated with the relevantephemeral message group 504 to no longer be displayed within a userinterface of the messaging client application 104. Similarly, when theephemeral timer system 202 determines that the message durationparameter 506 for a particular ephemeral message 502 has expired, theephemeral timer system 202 causes the messaging client application 104to no longer display an indicium (e.g., an icon or textualidentification) associated with the ephemeral message 502.

FIG. 6 is an interaction diagram illustrating a process 600 for rankingaugmented reality content based on messaging contacts, in accordancewith some example embodiments. For explanatory purposes, the process 600is primarily described herein with reference to the messaging clientapplication 104 of the client device 102, and the messaging serversystem 110 of FIG. 1. However, one or more blocks (or operations) of theprocess 600 may be performed by one or more other components, and/or byother suitable devices. Further for explanatory purposes, the blocks ofthe process 600 are described herein as occurring in serial, orlinearly. However, multiple blocks of the process 600 may occur inparallel. In addition, the blocks of the process 600 need not beperformed in the order shown and/or one or more blocks of the process600 need not be performed and/or can be replaced by other operations.

As described herein, the messaging client application 104 in conjunctionwith the messaging server system 110 is configured to rank augmentedreality content items (e.g., corresponding to augmented realityexperiences) for displaying with an image captured by a device camera.For example, the augmented reality content items are ranked based on oneor more signals that relate a first user (e.g., a message sender) to apreselected second user (e.g., a message recipient). The messagingclient application 104 selects a default augmented reality content item(e.g., a highest-ranked augmented reality content item) that isautomatically launched for displaying respective augmented realitycontent with the captured image. Moreover, the messaging clientapplication 104 displays a carousel interface with icons, each forselecting a respective augmented reality content item (e.g., augmentedreality experience), in ranked order.

In one or more embodiments, the first and second users are identified bythe messaging server system 110 based on unique identifiers (e.g., amessaging system identifier, email address and/or a device identifier)associated with respective user accounts for the first and second users.In addition, the messaging server system 110 may implement and/or workin conjunction with the social network system 120 which is configured toidentify other users (e.g., friends) with which a particular user hasrelationships. In the example of FIG. 6, the social network system 120may determine that the first user and the second user are contacts(e.g., friends) with respect to the messaging server system 110.

At block 602, the messaging client application 104 receives, from afirst user, user input to compose a message for sending to a preselectedsecond user. The second user may be preselected by the first user in oneor more manners. For example, the messaging client application 104provides a reply interface element when a first user views a priormessage (e.g., sent by the second user to the first user) and/or a Story(e.g., sent/broadcast by the second user). In one or more embodiments,the prior message/Story includes an image captured at the device of thesecond user. In another example, the messaging client application 104provides a reply interface element within a chat interface whichincludes messages sent between the first user and the second user. Inyet another example, the messaging client application 104 provides aninterface including a list of friends of the first user, where the listincludes the second user. The list of friends may be ordered based atleast partly on respective statuses of the friends (e.g., availablecontent for viewing, status updates, and the like). The list of friendsmay be presented with a respective cell for each user (e.g., includingthe second user). Each cell indicates the name, avatar and status forthe corresponding friend.

In one or more embodiments, the first user selects the above-noted replyinterface element (e.g., as presented when viewing a message/Story,and/or the chat interface), thereby causing the messaging clientapplication 104 to direct to a message generation interface.Alternatively, the first user performs a predefined gesture (e.g., adouble-tap) on the above-noted cell of the second user in the list offriends, thereby causing the messaging client application 104 to directto the message generation interface.

As discussed below with respect to FIG. 7, the message generationinterface provides for generating a new message in which the second useris preselected as the recipient. In addition, the message generationinterface automatically launches the camera of the client device 102,for generating a message that includes an image captured by the camera.Moreover, the message generation interface includes a carousel interfacewith icons for selecting an augmented reality content item and/orswitching between available augmented reality content items for applyingto the image captured by the device camera. As described herein, theicons are displayed in a ranked order.

Thus, at operation 604, the messaging client application 104 sends arequest to the messaging server system 110, to rank the availableaugmented reality content items based on the first user and the seconduser. In response, the messaging server system 110 ranks the augmentedreality content items based on signal(s) that relate the first user tothe second user (block 606).

As noted above, the augmented reality system 124 included in themessaging server system 110 is configured to provide for rankingavailable augmented reality content items. For example, availableaugmented reality content items are ranked by comparing one or moreattributes of objects) detected in images with corresponding augmentedreality content item attributes/words (e.g., as stored in the augmentedreality content items table 316). In case multiple augmented realitycontent items are available for a detected object (e.g., a user's face),augmented reality content items may be ranked based on one or moreparameters such as preferences/history of augmented reality contentitems selected by the user, popularity of augmented reality contentitems among system users, newly-available augmented reality contentitems, and the like.

Alternatively or in addition to using the above-mentioned signals forranking, the messaging server system 110 is configured to rank availableaugmented reality content items based on signal(s) that relate the firstuser and the second user. As noted above, the request for ranking atoperation 604 identifies the first and second user (e.g., via respectiveuser identifiers of the first and second user).

For example, in ranking the augmented reality content items, themessaging server system 110 is configured to determine signal(s) such asa frequency of messages exchanged between the first user and the seconduser, a recency of messages exchanged between the first user and thesecond user, and/or a user-specified strength of the relationshipbetween the first user and the second user (e.g., where the first userhad previously identified the second friend, or vice versa, as a closestor “best” friend within the messaging client application 104). Thesesignals may be used by the messaging server system 110 to rank up-rankand/or de-rank augmented reality content items relating to friendshipsand/or strengths of friendships (e.g., a good/best friends augmentedreality content item).

In another example, the messaging server system 110 is configured todetermine signal(s) indicating a subset of the plurality of augmentedreality content items previously displayed with respect to messagingbetween the first user and the second user (e.g., one or more prioraugmented reality content items used in communication between the firstuser and the second user). These signal(s) may be used by the messagingserver system 110 to up-rank the previously-used augmented realitycontent items.

In another example, the messaging server system 110 is configured todetermine a signals indicating a predefined event associated with atleast one of the first user or the second user (e.g., a birthday,anniversary or other event corresponding to the current date). Thesesignal(s) may be used by the messaging server system 110 to up-rankaugmented reality content items that relate to the predefined event(e.g., a birthday augmented reality content item, an anniversaryaugmented reality content item, and the like).

As such, the messaging server system 110 is configured to determinemultiple signals for augmented reality content items, and to rank suchaugmented reality content items. In one or more embodiments, themessaging server system 110 is configured to assign respective weightsto different signals (e.g., corresponding to augmented reality contentitem attributes and/or relationships between contacts/friends), and torank the augmented reality content items based on the assigned weights.

Moreover, in one or more embodiments, the messaging server system 110may implement a machine learning model (e.g., a complex convolutionalneural network) to rank augmented reality content items. For example,output from the machine learning model is used to modify the above-notedassigned weights. The machine learning model may have been trained basedon user input selecting augmented reality content items displayed in aranked order. Training of the machine learning model may be on a singleuser basis and/or a crowd-sourced basis. In training the machinelearning model based on user-selected augmented reality content items,the corresponding users are anonymized (e.g., by obfuscating theiridentities), such that user privacy is preserved and maintained.

After ranking the augmented reality content items, the messaging serversystem 110 sends an indication of the ranking to the messaging clientapplication 104 (operation 608). For example, the ranking indicates ahighest-ranked augmented reality content item. In addition, the rankingindicates an order in which the available augmented reality contentitems are to be displayed (e.g., within the carousel interface).

Based on the received rankings, the messaging client application 104displays the image (e.g., real-time image) captured by the camera of thedevice, and applies the highest-ranked augmented reality content item tothe displayed image (block 610). For example, the messaging clientapplication 104 sets the highest-ranked augmented reality content itemas a default augmented reality content item that is automaticallyactivated when initiating the message generation interface (e.g., asdiscussed below with respect to FIG. 7). Moreover, the messaging clientapplication 104 displays a carousel interface with icons, each forselecting a respective augmented reality content item, in ranked order(block 612).

By providing for ranking augmented reality content items (e.g.,augmented reality experiences) based on messaging contacts as describedherein, it is possible for the messaging system 100 to improve userengagement and/or interest with respect to messaging between users.Moreover, although FIG. 6 is described herein with respect to exchangingmessage content (e.g., image data and/or augmented reality content)between a first and second user, the subject system is not limited totwo users. Thus, the blocks and operations for the process 600 may beapplied to a group of message participants greater than two. One or moreof the signals that relate a sending user and/or multiple recipientcontacts (e.g., friends) may be used to rank augmented reality contentitems that are displayed within a message generation interface for groupmessaging.

FIG. 7 illustrates a user interface 700 of a messaging clientapplication 104 for displaying augmented reality content (e.g.,corresponding to an augmented reality experience) with image datacaptured by a device camera. In addition, the user interface 700provides for displaying icons, representing the augmented realitycontent items, in ranked order.

In one or more embodiments, the user interface 700 c corresponds to themessage generation interface described above with respect to FIG. 6.Thus, the user interface 700 provides for generating a new message inwhich a recipient user (e.g., a second user) is preselected by a sendinguser (e.g., first user). As shown in the example of FIG. 7, the seconduser corresponds to the preselected recipient 710.

The user interface 700 includes captured image data 706 corresponding toimage data captured by a front-facing camera of the client device 102.Alternatively, the image data may be captured by a rear-facing camera ofthe client device 102.

The user interface 700 further includes a carousel interface 702 whichallows the user to cycle through and/or select a different augmentedreality content item to apply with respect to captured image data 706.Each of the available augmented reality content items is represented byan icon which is user-selectable for switching to the respectiveaugmented reality content item.

The icons within the carousel interface 702 are displayed in a rankedorder, for example, based on the indication of rankings provided by themessaging server system 110 discussed above. For example, the icon(e.g., selected augmented reality content item icon 704) corresponds tothe highest-ranked augmented reality content item and is displayed in adifferent manner relative to (e.g., larger than) the remaining icons. Inone or more implementations, the remaining icons are displayed indescending order based on the rankings provided by the messaging serversystem 110.

Moreover, the highest-ranked augmented reality content item (e.g.,represented by the selected augmented reality content item icon 704)corresponds to a default augmented reality content item that isautomatically activated when launching the user interface 700. Thus, thehighest-ranked augmented reality content item provides a respectiveaugmented reality content item 708 for display together with thecaptured image data 706 provided by the device camera.

In one or more embodiments, user selection of the selected augmentedreality content item icon 704 provides for generating a message whichincludes an image (e.g., in response to a press/tap gesture of theselected augmented reality content item icon 704) and/or a video (e.g.,in response to a press-and-hold gesture of the selected augmentedreality content item icon 704) of the screen content, for example, tosend to the preselected recipient 710 (e.g., the second user).

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a process 800 for ranking augmentedreality content based on messaging contacts, in accordance with someexample embodiments. For explanatory purposes, the process 800 isprimarily described herein with reference to the messaging clientapplication 104 and the messaging server system 110 of FIG. 1. However,one or more blocks (or operations) of the process 800 may be performedby one or more other components, and/or by other suitable devices.Further for explanatory purposes, the blocks of the process 800 aredescribed herein as occurring in serial, or linearly. However, multipleblocks of the process 800 may occur in parallel. In addition, the blocksof the process 800 need not be performed in the order shown and/or oneor more blocks of the process 800 need not be performed and/or can bereplaced by other operations.

The messaging client application 104 receives a request from a firstuser to compose a message for sending to a preselected second user(block 802). The message is configured to include an image captured by adevice camera. The first user and the second user correspond to contactsin the messaging client application 104.

The messaging client application 104 determines, in response toreceiving the request, a ranking for a plurality of augmented realitycontent items configured to be displayed with the image, the rankingbeing based on at least one signal that relates the first user to thesecond user (block 804). To determine the ranking, the messaging clientapplication 104 may send, to the messaging server system 110, a requestto rank the plurality of augmented reality content items, the requestindicating the first user and the second user, and may receive, from themessaging server system 110 and in response to sending the request, anindication of the ranking for the plurality of augmented reality contentitems.

In performing the ranking, the messaging server system 110 may determinethe at least one signal that relates the first user to the second user,for ranking. For example, the at least one signal indicates one or moreof: a frequency of messages exchanged between the first user and thesecond user; a recency of messages exchanged between the first user andthe second user; a user-specified strength of the relationship betweenthe first user and the second user; a subset of the plurality ofaugmented reality content items previously displayed with respect tomessaging between the first user and the second user; and/or apredefined event associated with at least one of the first user or thesecond user.

The messaging client application 104 displays, based on the ranking, theimage with a user interface (e.g., a carousel interface) includingmultiple icons, each icon being user-selectable to display a respectiveone of the plurality of augmented reality content items with the image(block 806). The ranking may specify an order for displaying theplurality of augmented reality content items, such that the messagingclient application 104 displays the multiple icons in the specifiedorder. The messaging client application 104 may determine, based on theranking, a highest-ranked augmented reality content item (e.g.,augmented reality content item) from among the plurality of augmentedreality content items, and display the highest-ranked augmented realitycontent item with the image.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram 900 illustrating a software architecture 904,which can be installed on any one or more of the devices describedherein. The software architecture 904 is supported by hardware such as amachine 902 that includes processors 920, memory 926, and I/O components938. In this example, the software architecture 904 can beconceptualized as a stack of layers, where each layer provides aparticular functionality. The software architecture 904 includes layerssuch as an operating system 912, libraries 910, frameworks 908, andapplications 906, Operationally, the applications 906 invoke API calls950 through the software stack and receive messages 952 in response tothe API calls 950.

The operating system 912 manages hardware resources and provides commonservices. The operating system 912 includes, for example, a kernel 914,services 916, and drivers 922. The kernel 914 acts as an abstractionlayer between the hardware and the other software layers. For example,the kernel 914 provides memory management, processor management (e.g.,scheduling), component management, networking, and security settings,among other functionality. The services 916 can provide other commonservices for the other software layers. The drivers 922 are responsiblefor controlling or interfacing with the underlying hardware. Forinstance, the drivers 922 can include display drivers, camera drivers,BLUETOOTH® or BLUETOOTFI® Low Energy drivers, flash memory drivers,serial communication drivers (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB) drivers),WI-FI® drivers, audio drivers, power management drivers, and so forth.

The libraries 910 provide a low-level common infrastructure used by theapplications 906. The libraries 910 can include system libraries 918(e.g., C standard library) that provide functions such as memoryallocation functions, string manipulation functions, mathematicfunctions, and the like. In addition, the libraries 910 can include APIlibraries 924 such as media libraries (e.g., libraries to supportpresentation and manipulation of various media formats such as MovingPicture Experts Group-4 (MPEG4), Advanced Video Coding (H.264 or AVC),Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 (MP3), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC),Adaptive Multi-Rate (AMR) audio codec, Joint Photographic Experts Group(JPEG or JPG), or Portable Network Graphics (PNG)), graphics libraries(e.g., an OpenGL framework used to render in two dimensions (2D) andthree dimensions (3D) in a graphic content on a display), databaselibraries (e.g., SQLite to provide various relational databasefunctions), web libraries (e.g., WebKit to provide web browsingfunctionality), and the like. The libraries 910 can also include a widevariety of other libraries 928 to provide many other APIs to theapplications 906.

The frameworks 908 provide a high-level common infrastructure that isused by the applications 906. For example, the frameworks 908 providevarious graphical user interface (GUI) functions, high-level resourcemanagement, and high-level location services. The frameworks 908 canprovide a broad spectrum of other APIs that can be used by theapplications 906, some of which may be specific to a particularoperating system or platform.

In an example embodiment, the applications 906 may include a homeapplication 936, a contacts application 930, a browser application 932,a book reader application 934, a location application 942, a mediaapplication 944, a messaging application 946 (e.g., corresponding to themessaging client application 104), a game application 948, and a broadassortment of other applications such as third-party applications 940.The applications 906 are programs that execute functions defined in theprograms. Various programming languages can be employed to create one ormore of the applications 906, structured in a variety of manners, suchas object-oriented programming languages (e.g., Objective-C, Java, orC++) or procedural programming languages (e.g., C or assembly language).In a specific example, the third-party applications 940 (e.g.,applications developed using the ANDROID™ or IOS™ software developmentkit (SDK) by an entity other than the vendor of the particular platform)may be mobile software running on a mobile operating system such asIOS™, ANDROID™, WINDOWS® Phone, or another mobile operating system. Inthis example, the third-party applications 940 can invoke the API calls950 provided by the operating system 912 to facilitate functionalitydescribed herein.

FIG. 10 is a diagrammatic representation of a machine 1000 within whichinstructions 1008 (e.g., software, a program, an application, an applet,an app, or other executable code) for causing the machine 1000 toperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein may beexecuted. For example, the instructions 1008 may cause the machine 1000to execute any one or more of the methods described herein. Theinstructions 1008 transform the general, non-programmed machine 1000into a particular machine 1000 programmed to carry out the described andillustrated functions in the manner described. The machine 1000 mayoperate as a standalone device or may be coupled (e.g., networked) toother machines. In a networked deployment, the machine 1000 may operatein the capacity of a server machine or a client machine in aserver-client network environment, or as a peer machine in apeer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. The machine 1000 maycomprise, but not be limited to, a server computer, a client computer, apersonal computer (PC), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a netbook,a set-top box (STB), a PDA, an entertainment media system, a cellulartelephone, a smart phone, a mobile device, a wearable device (e.g., asmart watch), a smart home device (e.g., a smart appliance), other smartdevices, a web appliance, a network router, a network switch, a networkbridge, or any machine capable of executing the instructions 1008,sequentially or otherwise, that specify actions to be taken by themachine 1000. Further, while only a single machine 1000 is illustrated,the term “machine” shall also be taken to include a collection ofmachines that individually or jointly execute the instructions 1008 toperform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.

The machine 1000 may include processors 1002, memory 1004, and I/Ocomponents 1044, which may be configured to communicate with each othervia a bus 1042, in an example embodiment, the processors 1002 (e.g., aCentral Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced Instruction Set Computing(RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing (CISC) processor,a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), anASIC, a Radio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC), another processor, orany suitable combination thereof) may include, for example, a processor1006 and a processor 1010 that execute the instructions 1008. The term“processor” is intended to include multi-core processors that maycomprise two or more independent processors (sometimes referred to as“cores”) that may execute instructions contemporaneously. Although FIG.10 shows multiple processors 1002, the machine 1000 may include a singleprocessor with a single core, a single processor with multiple cores(e.g., a multi-core processor), multiple processors with a single core,multiple processors with multiples cores, or any combination thereof.

The memory 1004 includes a main memory 1012, a static memory 1014, and astorage unit 1016, both accessible to the processors 1002 via the bus1042. The main memory 1012, the static memory 1014, and storage unit1016 store the instructions 1008 embodying any one or more of themethodologies or functions described herein. The instructions 1008 mayalso reside, completely or partially, within the main memory 1012,within the static memory 1014, within machine-readable medium 1018within the storage unit 1016, within at least one of the processors 1002(e.g., within the processor's cache memory), or any suitable combinationthereof, during execution thereof by the machine 1000.

The I/O components 1044 may include a wide variety of components toreceive input, provide output, produce output, transmit information,exchange information, capture measurements, and so on. The specific I/Ocomponents 1044 that are included in a particular machine will depend onthe type of machine. For example, portable machines such as mobilephones may include a touch input device or other such input mechanisms,while a headless server machine will likely not include such a touchinput device. It will be appreciated that the I/O components 1044 mayinclude many other components that are not shown in FIG. 10. In variousexample embodiments, the I/O components 1044 may include outputcomponents 1028 and input components 1030. The output components 1028may include visual components (e.g., a display such as a plasma displaypanel (PDP), a light emitting diode (LED) display, a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), a projector, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)), acousticcomponents (e.g., speakers), haptic components (e.g., a vibratory motor,resistance mechanisms), other signal generators, and so forth. The inputcomponents 1030 may include alphanumeric input components (e.g., akeyboard, a touch screen configured to receive alphanumeric input, aphoto-optical keyboard, or other alphanumeric input components),point-based input components (e.g., a mouse, a touchpad, a trackball, ajoystick, a motion sensor, or another pointing instrument), tactileinput components (e.g., a physical button, a touch screen that provideslocation and/or force of touches or touch gestures, or other tactileinput components), audio input components (e.g., a microphone), opticalsensor components (e.g., a camera) and the like.

In further example embodiments, the I/O components 1044 may includebiometric components 1032, motion components 1034, environmentalcomponents 1036, or position components 10388, among a wide array ofother components. For example, the biometric components 1032 includecomponents to detect expressions (e.g., hand expressions, facialexpressions, vocal expressions, body gestures, or eye tracking), measurebiosignals (e.g., blood pressure, heart rate, body temperature,perspiration, or brain waves), identify a person (e.g., voiceidentification, retinal identification, facial identification,fingerprint identification, or electroencephalogram-basedidentification), and the like. The motion components 1034 includeacceleration sensor components (e.g., accelerometer), gravitation sensorcomponents, rotation sensor components (e.g., gyroscope), and so forth.The environmental components 1036 include, for example, illuminationsensor components (e.g., photometer), temperature sensor components(e.g., one or more thermometers that detect ambient temperature),humidity sensor components, pressure sensor components (e.g.,barometer), acoustic sensor components (e.g., one or more microphonesthat detect background noise), proximity sensor components (e.g.,infrared sensors that detect nearby objects), gas sensors (e.g., gasdetection sensors to detection concentrations of hazardous gases forsafety or to measure pollutants in the atmosphere), or other componentsthat may provide indications, measurements, or signals corresponding toa surrounding physical environment. The position components 1038 includelocation sensor components (e.g., a GPS receiver component), altitudesensor components (e.g., altimeters or barometers that detect airpressure from which altitude may be derived), orientation sensorcomponents (e.g., magnetometers), and the like.

Communication may be implemented using a wide variety of technologies.The I/O components 1044 further include communication components 1040operable to couple the machine 1000 to a network 1020 or devices 1022via a coupling 1026 and a coupling 1024, respectively. For example, thecommunication components 1040 may include a network interface componentor another suitable device to interface with the network 1020. Infurther examples, the communication components 1040 may include wiredcommunication components, wireless communication components, cellularcommunication components, Near Field Communication (NFC) components,Bluetooth® components (e.g., Bluetooth® Low Energy), Wi-Fi® components,and other communication components to provide communication via othermodalities. The devices 1022 may be another machine or any of a widevariety of peripheral devices (e.g., a peripheral device coupled via aUSB).

Moreover, the communication components 1040 may detect identifiers orinclude components operable to detect identifiers. For example, thecommunication components 1040 may include Radio Frequency Identification(RFID) tag reader components, NFC smart tag detection components,optical reader components (e.g., an optical sensor to detectone-dimensional bar codes such as Universal Product Code (UPC) bar code,multi-dimensional bar codes such as Quick Response (QR) code, Azteccode, Data Matrix, Dataglyph, MaxiCode, PDF417, Ultra Code, UCC RSS-2Dbar code, and other optical codes), or acoustic detection components(e.g., microphones to identify tagged audio signals). In addition, avariety of information may be derived via the communication components1040, such as location via Internet Protocol (IP) geolocation, locationvia Wi-Fi® signal triangulation, location via detecting an NFC beaconsignal that may indicate a particular location, and so forth.

The various memories (e.g., memory 1004, main memory 1012, static memory1014, and/or memory of the processors 1002) and/or storage unit 1016 maystore one or more sets of instructions and data structures (e.g.,software) embodying or used by any one or more of the methodologies orfunctions described herein. These instructions (e.g., the instructions1008), when executed by processors 1002, cause various operations toimplement the disclosed embodiments.

The instructions 1008 may be transmitted or received over the network1020, using a transmission medium, via a network interface device (e.g.,a network interface component included in the communication components1040) and using any one of a number of well-known transfer protocols(e.g., hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP)). Similarly, the instructions1008 may be transmitted or received using a transmission medium via thecoupling 1024 (e.g., a peer-to-peer coupling) to the devices 1022.

A “client device” refers to any machine that interfaces to acommunications network to obtain resources from one or more serversystems or other client devices. A client device may be, but is notlimited to, a mobile phone, desktop computer, laptop, portable digitalassistants (PDAs), smartphones, tablets, ultrabooks, netbooks, laptops,multi-processor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumerelectronics, game consoles, set-top boxes, or any other communicationdevice that a user may use to access a network.

A “communication network” refers to one or more portions of a networkthat may be an ad hoc network, an intranet, an extranet, a virtualprivate network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a wireless LAN(WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), a wireless WAN (WWAN), a metropolitanarea network (MAN), the Internet, a portion of the Internet, a portionof the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), a plain old telephoneservice (POTS) network, a cellular telephone network, a wirelessnetwork, a Wi-Fi® network, another type of network, or a combination oftwo or more such networks. For example, a network or a portion of anetwork may include a wireless or cellular network and the coupling maybe a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) connection, a Global Systemfor Mobile communications (GSM) connection, or other types of cellularor wireless coupling. In this example, the coupling may implement any ofa variety of types of data transfer technology, such as Single CarrierRadio Transmission Technology (1×RTT), Evolution-Data. Optimized (EVDO)technology, General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) technology, EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE) technology, third GenerationPartnership Project (3GPP) including 3G, fourth generation wireless (4G)networks, Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), High SpeedPacket Access (HSPA), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access(WiMAX), Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard, others defined by variousstandard-setting organizations, other long-range protocols, or otherdata transfer technology.

A “component” refers to a device, physical entity, or logic havingboundaries defined by function or subroutine calls, branch points, APIs,or other technologies that provide for the partitioning ormodularization of particular processing or control functions. Componentsmay be combined via their interfaces with other components to carry outa machine process. A component may be a packaged functional hardwareunit designed for use with other components and a part of a program thatusually performs a particular function of related functions. Componentsmay constitute either software components (e.g., code embodied on amachine-readable medium) or hardware components. A “hardware component”is a tangible unit capable of performing certain operations and may beconfigured or arranged in a certain physical manner. In various exampleembodiments, one or more computer systems (e.g., a standalone computersystem, a client computer system, or a server computer system) or one ormore hardware components of a computer system (e.g., a processor or agroup of processors) may be configured by software (e.g., an applicationor application portion) as a hardware component that operates to performcertain operations as described herein. A hardware component may also beimplemented mechanically, electronically, or any suitable combinationthereof. For example, a hardware component may include dedicatedcircuitry or logic that is permanently configured to perform certainoperations. A hardware component may be a special-purpose processor,such as a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or an applicationspecific integrated circuit (ASIC). A hardware component may alsoinclude programmable logic or circuitry that is temporarily configuredby software to perform certain operations. For example, a hardwarecomponent may include software executed by a general-purpose processoror other programmable processor. Once configured by such software,hardware components become specific machines (or specific components ofa machine) uniquely tailored to perform the configured functions and areno longer general-purpose processors. It will be appreciated that thedecision to implement a hardware component mechanically, in dedicatedand permanently configured circuitry, or in temporarily configuredcircuitry (e.g., configured by software), may be driven by cost and timeconsiderations. Accordingly, the phrase “hardware component”(or“hardware-implemented component”) should be understood to encompass atangible entity, be that an entity that is physically constructed,permanently configured (e.g., hardwired), or temporarily configured(e.g., programmed) to operate in a certain manner or to perform certainoperations described herein. Considering embodiments in which hardwarecomponents are temporarily configured (e.g., programmed), each of thehardware components need not be configured or instantiated at any oneinstance in time. For example, where a hardware component comprises ageneral-purpose processor configured by software to become aspecial-purpose processor, the general-purpose processor may beconfigured as respectively different special-purpose processors (e.g.,comprising different hardware components) at different times. Softwareaccordingly configures a particular processor or processors, forexample, to constitute a particular hardware component at one instanceof time and to constitute a different hardware component at a differentinstance of time. Hardware components can provide information to, andreceive information from, other hardware components. Accordingly, thedescribed hardware components may be regarded as being communicativelycoupled. Where multiple hardware components exist contemporaneously,communications may be achieved through signal transmission (e.g., overappropriate circuits and buses) between or among two or more of thehardware components. In embodiments in which multiple hardwarecomponents are configured or instantiated at different times,communications between such hardware components may be achieved, forexample, through the storage and retrieval of information in memorystructures to which the multiple hardware components have access. Forexample, one hardware component may perform an operation and store theoutput of that operation in a memory device to which it iscommunicatively coupled. A further hardware component may then, at alater time, access the memory device to retrieve and process the storedoutput. Hardware components may also initiate communications with inputor output devices, and can operate on a resource (e.g., a collection ofinformation). The various operations of example methods described hereinmay be performed, at least partially, by one or more processors that aretemporarily configured (e.g., by software) or permanently configured toperform the relevant operations. Whether temporarily or permanentlyconfigured, such processors may constitute processor-implementedcomponents that operate to perform one or more operations or functionsdescribed herein. As used herein, “processor-implemented component”refers to a hardware component implemented using one or more processors.Similarly, the methods described herein may be at least partiallyprocessor-implemented, with a particular processor or processors beingan example of hardware. For example, at least some of the operations ofa method may be performed by one or more processors orprocessor-implemented components. Moreover, the one or more processorsmay also operate to support performance of the relevant operations in a“cloud computing” environment or as a “software as a service” (SaaS).For example, at least some of the operations may be performed by a groupof computers (as examples of machines including processors), with theseoperations being accessible via a network (e.g., the Internet) and viaone or more appropriate interfaces (e.g., an API). The performance ofcertain of the operations may be distributed among the processors, notonly residing within a single machine, but deployed across a number ofmachines. In some example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be located in a single geographiclocation (e.g., within a home environment, an office environment, or aserver farm). In other example embodiments, the processors orprocessor-implemented components may be distributed across a number ofgeographic locations.

A “computer-readable medium” refers to both machine-storage media andtransmission media. Thus, the terms include both storage devices/mediaand carrier waves/modulated data signals. The terms “machine-readablemedium,” “computer-readable medium” and “device-readable medium” meanthe same thing and may be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

An “ephemeral message” refers to a message that is accessible for atime-limited duration. An ephemeral message may be a text, an image, avideo and the like. The access time for the ephemeral message may be setby the message sender. Alternatively, the access time may be a defaultsetting or a setting specified by the recipient. Regardless of thesetting technique, the message is transitory.

A “machine-storage medium” refers to a single or multiple storagedevices and/or media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database,and/or associated caches and servers) that store executableinstructions, routines and/or data. The term shall accordingly be takento include, but not be limited to, solid-state memories, and optical andmagnetic media, including memory internal or external to processors.Specific examples of machine-storage media, computer-storage mediaand/or device-storage media include non-volatile memory, including byway of example semiconductor memory devices, e.g., erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-onlymemory (EEPROM), FPGA, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks such asinternal hard disks and removable disks; magneto-optical disks; andCD-ROM and DVD-ROM disks The terms “machine-storage medium,”“device-storage medium,” “computer-storage medium” mean the same thingand may be used interchangeably in this disclosure. The terms“machine-storage media,” “computer-storage media,” and “device-storagemedia” specifically exclude carrier waves, modulated data signals, andother such media, at least some of which are covered under the term“signal medium.”

A “processor” refers to any circuit or virtual circuit (a physicalcircuit emulated by logic executing on an actual processor) thatmanipulates data values according to control signals (e.g., “commands”,“op codes”, “machine code”, etc.) and which produces correspondingoutput signals that are applied to operate a machine. A processor may,for example, be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Reduced InstructionSet Computing (RISC) processor, a Complex Instruction Set Computing(CISC) processor, a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), a Digital SignalProcessor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), aRadio-Frequency Integrated Circuit (RFIC) or any combination thereof. Aprocessor may further be a multi-core processor having two or moreindependent processors (sometimes referred to as “cores”) that mayexecute instructions contemporaneously.

A “signal medium” refers to any intangible medium that is capable ofstoring, encoding, or carrying the instructions for execution by amachine and includes digital or analog communications signals or otherintangible media to facilitate communication of software or data. Theterm “signal medium” shall be taken to include any form of a modulateddata signal, carrier wave, and so forth. The term “modulated datasignal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics setor changed in such a matter as to encode information in the signal. Theterms “transmission medium” and “signal medium” mean the same thing andmay be used interchangeably in this disclosure.

Changes and modifications may be made to the disclosed embodimentswithout departing from the scope of the present disclosure. These andother changes or modifications are intended to be included within thescope of the present disclosure, as expressed in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: receiving, by a messagingapplication, a request from a first user to compose a message forsending to a preselected second user, the message being configured toinclude an image captured by a device camera, the first user and thesecond user corresponding to contacts in the messaging application;determining, in response to receiving the request, a ranking for aplurality of augmented reality content items configured to be displayedwith the image, the ranking being based on at least one signal thatrelates the first user to the second user; determining, based on theranking, a highest-ranked augmented reality content item from among theplurality of augmented reality content items; and displaying, based onthe ranking, the image with a carousel interface comprising multipleicons, each icon being user-selectable to display a respective one ofthe plurality of augmented reality content items with the image, therespective icon for the highest-ranked augmented reality content itembeing preselected and displayed in a different manner relative toremaining icons of the multiple icons within the carousel interface. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the determining comprises: sending, to aserver, a second request to rank the plurality of augmented realitycontent items, the second request indicating the first user and thesecond user; and receiving, from the server and in response to sendingthe request, an indication of the ranking for the plurality of augmentedreality content items.
 3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:displaying the highest-ranked augmented reality content item with theimage.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the ranking specifies an orderfor displaying the plurality of augmented reality content items, andwherein the displaying comprises displaying the multiple icons in thespecified order.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the respective iconfor the highest-ranked augmented reality content item is displayedlarger than the remaining icons of the multiple icons within thecarousel interface.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least onesignal indicates a frequency of messages exchanged between the firstuser and the second user.
 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone signal indicates a recency of messages exchanged between the firstuser and the second user.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the at leastone signal indicates a user-specified strength of a relationship betweenthe first user and the second user.
 9. The method of claim 1, whereinthe at least one signal indicates a subset of the plurality of augmentedreality content items previously displayed with respect to messagingbetween the first user and the second user.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the at least one signal indicates a predefined event associatedwith at least one of the first user or the second user.
 11. A device,comprising: a processor; and a memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted by the processor, cause the processor to: receive, by amessaging application, a request from a first user to compose a messagefor sending to a preselected second user, the message being configuredto include an image captured by a device camera, the first user and thesecond user corresponding to contacts in the messaging application;determine, in response to receiving the request, a ranking for aplurality of augmented reality content items configured to be displayedwith the image, the ranking being based on at least one signal thatrelates the first user to the second user; determine, based on theranking, a highest-ranked augmented reality content item from among theplurality of augmented reality content items; and display, based on theranking, the image with a carousel interface comprising multiple icons,each icon being user-selectable to display a respective one of theplurality of augmented reality content items with the image, therespective icon for the highest-ranked augmented reality content itembeing preselected and displayed in a different manner relative toremaining icons of the multiple icons within the carousel interface. 12.The device of claim 11, wherein the determining comprises: send, to aserver, a second request to rank the plurality of augmented realitycontent items, the second request indicating the first user and thesecond user; and receive, from the server and in response to sending therequest, an indication of the ranking for the plurality of augmentedreality content items.
 13. The device of claim 11, wherein theinstructions further cause the processor to: display the highest-rankedaugmented reality content item with the image.
 14. The device of claim11, wherein the ranking specifies an order for displaying the pluralityof augmented reality content items, and wherein the displaying comprisesdisplaying the multiple icons in the specified order.
 15. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the respective icon for the highest-ranked augmentedreality content item is displayed larger than the remaining icons of themultiple icons within the carousel interface.
 16. The device of claim11, wherein the at least one signal indicates a frequency of messagesexchanged between the first user and the second user.
 17. The device ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one signal indicates a recency ofmessages exchanged between the first user and the second user.
 18. Thedevice of claim 11, wherein the at least one signal indicates auser-specified strength of a relationship between the first user and thesecond user.
 19. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one signalindicates a subset of the plurality of augmented reality content itemspreviously displayed with respect to messaging between the first userand the second user.
 20. A non-transitory computer-readable storagemedium, the computer-readable storage medium including instructions thatwhen executed by a computer, cause the computer to: receive, by amessaging application, a request from a first user to compose a messagefor sending to a preselected second user, the message being configuredto include an image captured by a device camera, the first user and thesecond user corresponding to contacts in the messaging application;determine, in response to receiving the request, a ranking for aplurality of augmented reality content items configured to be displayedwith the image, the ranking being based on at least one signal thatrelates the first user to the second user; determine, based on theranking, a highest-ranked augmented reality content item from among theplurality of augmented reality content items; and display, based on theranking, the image with a carousel interface comprising multiple icons,each icon being user-selectable to display a respective one of theplurality of augmented reality content items with the image, therespective icon for the highest-ranked augmented reality content itembeing preselected and displayed in a different manner relative toremaining icons of the multiple icons within the carousel interface.